Environmental And Classroom Accommodations For ADHD

By Ryan McDonald


Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects about three to five percent of the population. With its rampant nature, almost every teacher is likely to encounter it at one point in life. This calls for tactics on classroom and environmental accommodations for ADHD. This will help you deal with instances of disruptive behaviors like leaving the seat, calling out and interrupting activities.

To make classroom learning easier, these students should sit close to the teacher. Keep them away from disruptive environments like doors and windows. Create more spaces between desks and ensure that the teacher is close to the student when teaching. Seat cushions, foot rests and resistant bands, among others should be provided to assist such students to improve focus.

Assignments are part of the education system. Because of the limitations in the level of assistance that can be provided by the teacher, the questions should be fewer and broken down into simple sentences. The exam environment should be quiet and more time provided to such a student to complete the exam. Such intervention as loud answers and filling answers on question paper are welcome.

Strict education and examination rules will only disadvantage the student as opposed to assisting him or her meet learning goals. When it is time to mark the test or examination, avoid paying attention to neatness. On individual questions, do not be tempted to focus on the answer. Rather, give credit to work done instead of taking points away because the assignment was partially done or late. Such students will not handle long assignments.

The learning environment will determine the ability of the student to grasp content being taught. Directions or instructions should be given out loud and also be in written scripts. Use images like graphs and pictures which are easier for the students to comprehend. Allow a buddy to take notes for such a student. Giving an outline of the lesson to such a student aids in preparation. You should check to make sure that your student has understood the lesson. Instructions should be simplified and made as clear as possible.

The behaviors of these students will be out of ordinary. To accommodate their shortcomings, you should reward them using a behavior plan. Do not shout at the student. Rather, use a one-on-one approach to deal with behavioral challenges. Monitor whether your student is experiencing frustrations and ignore some acts as long as they are not disruptive.

Tests are likely to disadvantage an ADHD student. Make provisions for extended time to accommodate distractions. The assignments or tests should be spaced so that the student does not feel overwhelmed. Allow verbatim scripting alongside assistive devices like voice to text software, spellcheckers, reference charts and calculators, among others.

ADHD is impossible to treat. The interventions and medicines available are only meant to manage symptoms and improve the functioning of such students or staff. Some of these intervention measures include medication, training, education, physiotherapy or a combination of these interventions. Remember that the symptoms may vary from one person to the other. Attention to individual condition allows such a person to achieve full potential.




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